England friendly in doubt

England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his shock and disappointment at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities throughout the country.

Ferdinand, who was raised in Peckham, is in the England squad set to take on Netherlands at Wembley on Wednesday, but the friendly could come under threat as a result of the rioting.

Carling Cup matches at West Ham and Charlton have already been postponed on
the instructions of police. West Ham were due to play Aldershot while
Charlton were scheduled to face Reading.

The England match remained on and planning was continuing as
normal on Monday evening, with the Football Association prepared to leave any decision regarding the match up to the Metropolitan Police.

Ferdinand described his thoughts on the violence in his old neighbourhood in three consecutive messages on Twitter: "The scenes on Sky news
right now are shocking..what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples [sic]
homes + livelihoods have gone up in smoke-why?

"It seems these kids/people have no fear or respect for the police....maybe
the army will get that respect??

"And I am not saying bring violence, I am saying the presence of the army may
make these kids/people think twice about continuing this??"

Ferdinand's England and Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney also pleaded for
the trouble to stop.

Rooney wrote on Twitter: "These riots are nuts why would people do this to
there [sic] own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country. Stop
please."

A decision regarding whether or not the international friendly will go ahead is understood to be made on Wednesday morning, and Everton midfielder Phil Neville believes the match should be called off. He tweeted:
"Morning all-heard England vs holland match in jeopardy-I'd say cancel everything and let's sort out this mess 1st-police need help!"